John Miller
Mushrooms have been the centre of fascination for centuries, from folklore and superstition to scientific research and medicine. With a recent surge in interest, there are many books to choose from for those looking to learn more about these fascinating fungi. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, a forager, grower, or medicine maker, there is a book to suit your needs. Here is a list of some of the best mushroom books to get you started on your journey into the magical world of mushrooms.
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom foraging guides
Mushroom foraging can be a tricky business, so it's important to be well-informed before heading out into the woods. Here are some books that can help you identify edible mushrooms and avoid poisonous ones:
Mushrooms Demystified
David Arora's guide includes descriptions and "dichotomous keys" to help identify over 2,000 species of mushrooms, with more than 950 photographs. It's an indispensable companion for beginners and experienced mushroom hunters alike. However, it's a heavy book, so you might not want to take it with you on your foraging adventures!
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms
With over 700 full-colour identification photographs organised by colour and shape, this guide is the perfect companion for any mushroom hunting expedition in North America. It covers edible, poisonous, and medicinal mushrooms.
Beginner's Guide to Safely Foraging for Wild Mushrooms
Recommended by foraging expert Mark Merriwether Vorderbruggen, this guide provides precise, sustainable harvesting instructions for foragers in North America.
Illustrated Guide to Foraging, Harvesting, and Enjoying Wild Mushrooms
Gary Lincoff's comprehensive guide includes new sections on growing your own mushrooms and off-season collecting.
The Complete Mushroom Hunter
This book is a great resource for beginners, covering the main mushroom species, which ones are edible, which ones are poisonous, where and how to look, and what to take with you when foraging.
It's worth noting that wild mushrooms have regional variations, so it's a good idea to check if there's a guide specific to your local area. Happy foraging!
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Mushroom identification books
Mushroom hunting and foraging is a popular hobby, and there are many books to help identify the various species of mushrooms. Here are some of the most popular and useful guides:
Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora is a comprehensive guide with descriptions and keys to over 2,000 species of mushrooms. It includes a beginner's checklist of 70 common mushrooms, and covers topics like habitats, cookery, toxins, and scientific names. With over 950 photographs, this book is a great resource for beginners and experienced hunters. However, it is quite heavy and not ideal for carrying into the woods.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms is an essential companion for mushroom enthusiasts. With over 700 full-colour identification photographs organised by colour and shape, it is a perfect tool for mushroom hunting. It covers 200 Western mushrooms, detailing whether they are edible, poisonous, or medicinal.
The Complete Mushroom Hunter is a beginner-friendly book that covers the main mushroom species, their edibility, and where and how to look for them. It also includes fun facts and essential information on what to take when foraging.
The Fungal Pharmacy by Robert Rogers is a versatile guide covering over 300 species of medicinal lichens and mushrooms native to North America. Each description covers a wide range of topics, including chemical constituents, clinical studies, historical uses, folklore, and preparation methods. It is a perfect coffee table book for anyone interested in the medicinal properties of mushrooms.
Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets is a classic mycological text that covers the basics of the mushroom life cycle and classifications of fungi. It is a great introductory book for anyone new to the world of fungi.
Beginner's Guide to Safely Foraging for Wild Mushrooms by Mark Merriwether Vorderbruggen is praised for its precise guidance on sustainable harvesting across North America. It equips readers with knowledge and safety awareness, making it ideal for beginners.
Medicinal Mushrooms by Christopher Hobbs blends scientific research with ancient wisdom, providing accessible insights and detailed photos.
While these books offer general knowledge, it is worth noting that wild mushrooms have regional variations. Therefore, it is advisable to check for specific guides to the mushrooms in your local area or state.
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Mushroom history and folklore
Mushrooms have long been the centre of magical tales, folklore beliefs, and superstitions. They have also been the subject of scientific research and ancient wisdom. With their ability to change the world, mushrooms have had a significant impact on human history and continue to fascinate people from all walks of life. Here is a curated list of books that delve into the history and folklore of mushrooms, providing a wealth of knowledge and entertainment for mushroom enthusiasts and those seeking to explore the mysterious world of fungi.
"The Magic of Mushrooms", published by Wellbeck in 2022, is a stunning and informative book. With over 100 striking images sourced from the Royal Botanic Gardens' archives, this book showcases the beauty and intrigue of mushrooms. It takes readers on a journey through the magical and folkloric aspects of fungi, offering a unique perspective on these fascinating organisms.
"The Lives of Fungi", published by Princeton University Press, is a book that combines captivating text with breathtaking images of fungi. It narrates the history of fungi on Earth and their impact on our planet and its inhabitants. This book is perfect for those seeking historical facts about mushrooms while also appreciating their aesthetic appeal.
"Mushrooms Demystified", written by David Arora, is an indispensable guide for mushroom enthusiasts. With descriptions and keys to over 2,000 mushroom species, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the fungal kingdom. It includes a beginner's checklist of 70 common mushrooms, along with detailed chapters on habitats, cookery, toxins, and scientific names. The book's 950 photographs make it a valuable resource for identifying mushrooms in the wild.
"The Fungal Pharmacy", authored by Robert Rogers, offers a wealth of knowledge gained from his 40 years of experience as a herbalist. This book covers over 300 species of medicinal lichens and mushrooms native to North America. Each entry explores chemical constituents, clinical studies, historical uses, folklore, and preparation methods. "The Fungal Pharmacy" is an invaluable resource for those interested in the medicinal properties of mushrooms and their role in traditional healing practices.
"How to Change Your Mind", by Michael Pollan, blends science, memoir, travel writing, history, and medicine in a unique way. Pollan explores the use of LSD and psilocybin (derived from magic mushrooms) in treating conditions like depression, addiction, and anxiety. This personal account provides insight into the potential therapeutic benefits of mushrooms and their impact on our understanding of the mind, self, and our place in the world.
These books offer a fascinating exploration of mushroom history and folklore, contributing to our understanding of the complex relationship between fungi and humanity. Whether you're a mushroom enthusiast, a forager, or simply curious about the world of fungi, these reads will surely captivate and enrich your knowledge.
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Mushroom cookbooks
Whether you're a mushroom enthusiast or a novice wanting to learn more about cooking with fungi, there are plenty of mushroom cookbooks to choose from.
If you're looking for a beginner-friendly cookbook with an introduction to mushrooms, "Cooking with Mushrooms" is an excellent option. The book is organised into seven easy-to-understand chapters, covering topics such as drying and making mushroom powders, as well as providing tips for growing mushrooms at home.
For those who want to incorporate more fungi into their meals, the "Mushroom Cookbook" by Lucia Johnson-Flores is a great choice. With 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, this book offers inspiring and approachable recipes for cooking with mushrooms, including ideas for using both fresh and dried mushrooms in pantry staples like mushroom powder mixes and adaptogenic honey.
If you're interested in vegan and vegetarian dishes that showcase mushrooms, the "Smallhold Mushroom Cookbook" is perfect. This beautifully designed book features ten recipes, including Caramelized Mushroom Steaks and a sweet Salted Caramel-Shiitake Mousse. The proceeds from this cookbook also go towards supporting the Fungi Foundation's work in fungi conservation and education.
"Healing Mushrooms" takes a different approach by focusing on the benefits of medicinal mushrooms. While it's not solely a cookbook, it does include recipes and full-colour photographs to help readers incorporate functional mushrooms into their daily lives.
Lastly, for those interested in growing their own mushrooms, "Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms" by Paul Stamets is a popular choice. Despite being a bit outdated, it's a great resource for anyone wanting to learn about the main cultivated species and the parameters for growing them.
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Medicinal mushroom books
There are several books on medicinal mushrooms that are worth checking out, especially if you are interested in the topic. Here are some notable ones:
Christopher Hobbs's Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide
Written by Christopher Hobbs, PhD, LAc, an internationally renowned mycologist, herbal clinician, licensed acupuncturist, botanist, and research scientist, this book blends scientific research with ancient wisdom. Hobbs has over 40 years of experience in herbal medicine and has taught at various universities and medical schools. The book covers the nutritional and medicinal compounds of mushrooms, providing instructions on how to select, store, and prepare them for use. It also discusses the potential benefits of mushrooms, such as boosting immunity, improving memory, and fighting cancer.
Healing Mushrooms
This book takes a broader look at the benefits and applications of popular medicinal mushrooms. It covers the processing of mushrooms and the compounds responsible for their beneficial effects. It includes recipes and colour photographs to help readers incorporate mushrooms into their daily lives.
Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms
Written by Paul Stamets, this book covers the main cultivated species, parameters for growing them, laboratory work, sterile techniques, and mushroom farm design. While some consider it outdated, it still contains valuable information for those interested in growing medicinal mushrooms.
Mushrooms Demystified
This book serves as a comprehensive guide to various mushroom species, featuring stunning photographs. It is quite detailed and informative, but its notable downside is the lack of "dichotomous keys," making species identification challenging.
The Complete Mushroom Hunter
An excellent resource for beginners, this book covers the main mushroom species, distinguishing between edible and poisonous varieties. It also provides useful information on foraging, such as what to take with you when searching for mushrooms in the wild.
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Frequently asked questions
Frank Hyman's book is a great introduction to mushroom foraging for beginners. It provides straightforward advice, such as slicing a morel to confirm it's hollow, and helps you confidently identify 29 common edible mushrooms.
The Lives of Fungi, published by Princeton University Press, combines accessible text with beautiful images of fungi to describe their history on Earth and the impact they have made.
Mushrooms Demystified is a comprehensive guide with descriptions and keys to more than 2,000 species of mushrooms, along with over 950 photographs. It is a great resource for both beginner and experienced mushroom hunters.
Healing Mushrooms provides an overview of the benefits and applications of medicinal mushrooms, including information on how they are processed and which compounds are responsible for their beneficial effects. The book also includes recipes and full-colour photographs.
